Northwest Territories.

• Author: Bennett, Gail
• Position: Legislative Reports

As a result of the involvement of the Legislative Assembly in an ongoing legal matter, Speaker Paul Delorey temporarily suspended public distribution of Hansard on October 25, 2006. This action was taken to ensure compliance with a Court ruling relating to the distribution of Hansard in both English and French. Both parties to the proceedings are negotiating towards the terms of a Stay of Proceedings, pending the hearing of an Appeal launched by the GNWT and the Legislative Assembly. The Assembly continues to make audio and video recordings of the daily proceedings available by means of Internet live web casting and portions of the proceedings are also broadcast on radio and television throughout the Territories. The Blues continue to be produced and distributed internally.

Legislation

The Fifth Session of the 15th Assembly reconvened on October 17, 2006 and adjourned on November 2, 2006 with a total of twelve bills receiving Third Reading and Assent.

* Bill 6, Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act

* Bill 7, Pharmacy Act

* Bill 8, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act. 2006

* Bill 10, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2006-2007

* Bill 11, Tourism Act

* Bill 12, Garnishment Remedies Statues Amendment Act

* Bill 13, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No.2, 2006-2007

* Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 2

* Bill 15, Elections and Plebiscites Act

* Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Jury Act

* Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 3

* Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act

Bills 14, 15 and 17 were House Bills, falling under the administration of the Speaker and the Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly.

Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 2, was enacted as a result of the Electoral Boundaries Commission Report, tabled in the House in the spring of 2006. This Act adopts the Commission's recommendation to amend the electoral boundaries in the towns of Hay River and Inuvik to achieve more equitable representation and goes on to realign the electoral boundaries in the City of Yellowknife to achieve greater parity. A further recommendation in the report, to add two additional seats, was rejected. The Bill, as passed, realigns electoral boundaries but keeps the number of electoral districts at nineteen.

Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 3, was the result of a...